Super Bowl XLVII: How we're picking it

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, left, and San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Mike Vandermause

Ravens 23, 49ers 20

The Ravens entered the playoffs as the No. 4-seeded team in the AFC with a modest 10-6 record, but like the Packers in 2010 and the Giants in 2011 they have caught fire and are poised to win it all. Throw in the emotional edge that outgoing linebacker Ray Lewis will bring, and Baltimore should prevail against a more talented opponent.

Rob Demovsky

49ers 28, Ravens 24

The Ravens have knocked off some AFC heavyweights - the Patriots and Broncos - because they finally have an offense to match their typically strong defense. Joe Flacco's postseason numbers - 853 yards passing, eight touchdown passes and no interceptions in three games - look like those of a championship quarterback. But there's something about Colin Kaepernick that makes it hard to pick against the 49ers. His dual threat run-pass ability gives coach Jim Harbaugh so many options.

Pete Dougherty

49ers 31, Ravens 24

The Ravens have this year's vibe as the team meant to win it all. But San Francisco has the better defense and more talented quarterback, and that probably will prevail.

Wes Hodkiewicz

Ravens 31, 49ers 14

On paper, the spellbinding play of Colin Kaepernick and the NFL's best defense give San Francisco the edge, but in the process many have overlooked how well Joe Flacco and the Ravens have played during the playoffs. As well as Kaepernick has played, he's still a first-year starter matched against a savvy Baltimore defense with plenty to play for in Ray Lewis' final game. It's easy to get caught up in the 49ers' hype, but history shows the streaking team wins these games - in this case, handily.